Clone snipers, also known as clone sharpshooters, were a specialized variant of clone troopers who served in the Grand Army of the Republic during the Clone Wars.
Unlike the snipers in any traditional army, called from the best shooters, all clone troopers of the Grand Army of the Republic possessed the same eyesight, accuracy, steadiness and patience. However, the sharpshooters received special flash training teaching them the intricacies of being good snipers. The troopers were clones of the Human male bounty hunter Jango Fett who were born on the Wild Space planet Kamino in 32 BBY. They were part of the Galactic Republic's Grand Army. Their training allowed snipers to wait and shoot enemies one at a time.
A Phase II clone sniper of the 501st Legion during the Raid on the Jedi Temple.
Their main mission designation was to eliminate Separatist battle droid infantry from a distance to provide cover fire for other infantry units, while also using their recon droids to carry out short-range reconnaissance. Phase I clone snipers were recognizable by maroon armor markings. The sharpshooters fought on a number of battlefronts throughout the Clone Wars, and the 501st Legion had their own snipers, as did Green Company. After the establishment of the Galactic Empire in 19 BBY, the Grand Army of the Republic was dissolved and its assets folded into the new Imperial Military.
Clone sharpshooters were equipped with specialized DC-15x sniper rifles (or for late Phase II clones, a different unidentified sniper rifle), DC-15Ss, R-1 recon droids or autoturrets, and V-1 thermal detonators. Their armor was lightweight and suited the sharpshooter perfectly in heavy combat.
Clone snipers serve as the Galactic Republic's sniper class in the Star Wars: Battlefront video game series. Snipers have also appeared in the Star Wars: The Clone Wars tie-in comic, The Gauntlet of Death.